Grab a Stack of Rock / LeBrain Train

A Boatload of Music DVDs with Harrison Kopp and John T. Snow on Grab A Stack of Rock

What a marathon!  With the help of  John T. Snow (2loud2oldmusic) and the Mad Metal Man, we blasted through three music DVD collections in just under two hours.  The lion’s share was mine – guilty as charged — but John and Harrison also brought it.

This show is especially for fans of:

  • Metallica
  • Alice Cooper
  • KISS
  • Def Leppard
  • Bon Jovi
  • ELO
  • Deep Purple, Rainbow, Dio
  • Black Sabbath
  • Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson, Blaze & Paul Di’Anno
  • Judas Priest
  • Guns N’ Roses
  • AC/DC
  • Def Leppard
  • Marillion
  • Bootlegs
  • and rare Australian versions of releases

There were quite a few bargains to be had on the part of the Snowman and Harrison.   Both of them had some pretty cool acquisitions at low, low prices.  I love when price tags are still on DVDs.

We also had a very special announcement from John Snow:  Stay tuned for the debut of his new show, The Collection, starting in February!

Added bonus:  Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation submitted his Top Five Music DVDs, some of which happened to tickle Harrison’s fancy.

On a personal note, I’m saddened that I got rid of so many music DVDs over the years.  I know I had Blue Rodeo, Dream Theater, and Harem Scarem.  It’s unfortunate but the fact is that space is a commodity, and money matters, so sometimes things got sold.   However, they can always be re-aquired.

Thanks for watching and dropping the comments!  See you next week.

Next week:  Feb 2 – an interview with Marco D’Auria! Co-hosted by Jex Russell, we’re talking MYSTIQUE: Standing on the Firing Line!

Feb 9 – our 50th show! – Doctor Kathryn returns with Jex Russell and her cassette collection from the 1980s!

 

 

Music DVD Showcase with Harrison Kopp and John T. Snow on Grab A Stack of Rock

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Episode 48:  Music DVD Showcase

A long-overdue gander at our music DVD collections, tonight we will examine live DVDs, compilations, documentaries and more.  Kiss, Def Leppard, Metallica, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Marillion, and much much more.

Frankly I don’t watch music DVDs very often, so there will be things in my collection I am just rediscovering!

Joining me tonight will be John T. Snow of 2loud2oldmusic, and my trusty co-host the Mad Metal Man.  I cannot wait to see what these two music collectors have to show.  My collection is quite large, even though I stopped buying music DVDs a while ago.  We might not get to them all – a sequel show may be in order!

We have a special Top 5 list from Peter Kerr, and a really cool announcement to boot!

Hope to see you tonight in the comments section!

 

Friday January 26 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube, Twitter, or on Facebook!

Next week:  Feb 2 – an interview with Marco D’Auria! Co-hosted by Jex Russell, we’re talking MYSTIQUE: Standing on the Firing Line!

Feb 9 – our 50th show! – Doctor Kathryn returns with Jex Russell and her cassette collection from the 1980s!

 

 

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions: Ep. 490: Top 10 Least-Favoured KISS Songs – with Tim, Mike, Jex and Will

Says Tim:

This is exactly the type of episode I’ve long shied away from, something that could be seen as negative. However, we sure had a lot of fun putting this together, and filming it.

Here, Will sits in TVC Headquarters with me, and Jex and Ladano join us (with some written help from Matt) to cover our personal least favourite Kiss songs. I feel it is worth repeating: we are ALL massive Kiss fans, these are our opinions and no one else’s.

Your comments are welcome but please no personal attacks. None of what we say is meant as an affront to anyone’s personal tastes. Having said that, it was unquestionably fun to have a little dig at those Kiss songs that as fans, have always rubbed us the wrong way (which sounds like a discarded Gene Simmons lyric from the 80s).

 

Too Much Music? Grab A Stack of Mike’s CD Collection

How much music constitutes too much music?  This was a question I asked rhetorically during the recording of this 50 minute episode of Grab A Stack of Rock.  It is clear, whatever the number is, I have hit it and then some.

We had an interesting show and tell tonight, including the below:

  • Stir of Echoes, a 2008 band of Ray D’Auria’s (Mystique)
  • A Harem Scarem box set
  • A Max Webster box set
  • A defective Black Sabbath CD
  • An Iron Maiden bootleg with Blaze Bayley
  • Some gifts from Rob Daniels
  • White Snake
  • A Def Leppard bootleg
  • Some Rush and some jazz
  • Japanese import Deep Purple
  • Promo DLR
  • Deluxe Foo Fighters
  • Alice Cooper
  • Greta Van Fleet
  • A gift from Kevin Simister
  • A lot, lot, lot, of sealed Marillion
  • An avalanche!

This pre-recorded episode was an experiment and I think it went very well.  I was able to interact via the comments on YouTube and we had a lively discussion on the side.

While I will always prefer going live, these shorter solo shows will offer an alternative way of making it through the cold snowy winter together.  Thanks for watching and dropping the comments.  This was fun!

Next week will be a re-run, but Mike and the Mad Metal Man will be back on January 26 with John Snow and Tim Durling to show off music DVDs.  Then, on February 2, Marco D’Auria will be back to talk about the new 95 minute version of the Mystique movie that has been getting glowing accolades at festivals.  These will both be live shows and I hope you can join us!

Too Much Music? Grab A Stack of Mike’s CD Collection Tonight!

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Episode 47:  Too Much Music?

A must-watch for fans of Harem Scarem, Marillion, Deep Purple/Whitesnake, and the CD format!

Trying something different tonight.  Regular viewers know the original concept of the show (courtesy of Uncle Meat) was to just “grab a stack of rock” and talk about it.  Strangely enough, we never really just grabbed a random stack of discs from my collection to go through them.   So that’s what I did this time!  Instead of going live, I recorded this episode ahead of time.  It took 45 minutes to go through a stack and a half of neglected CDs from my collection.  It’s my first solo show in a couple years.

What may shock and appall you is how many discs from these stacks are unplayed and unopened.  Too much music?  I believe this episode makes a case for that.

I also unboxed a surprise care package from Marco D’Auria (The Contrarians) and what a cool surprise it was.

Tune in tonight at 7:00 PM at the regular places!

Friday January 12 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

The Y&T Album Review Book Chat with author Tim Durling, and contributors John Snow, Jex Russell and Mike Ladano

The very first Y&T book is out!  Down For the Count:  The Y&T Album Review is the name, and Tim Durling is the author.  Tim was kind enough to join Jex, John and I on a Friday night to talk about it.  Mr. Durling’s humble nature and musical knowledge was on full display as we discussed:

  • How the book came together, and why it has a discussion-style format.
  • Assembling the panel.
  • Y&T’s lack of big-time success.  The why’s, the wherefore’s, and the what-might-have-beens.
  • Fans in waiting:  turning new people on to Y&T.
  • Contacting Hugh Syme.
  • Working with Sean Kelly.
  • The importance of artwork, a good logo, and music videos.
  • The Y&T discography.

Please support the music community and check out the book if you can!  We are all very proud of Down For the Count, and you might just discover a new favourite band.  That’s all we really hope for in the end.

Thanks again to Tim, John and Jex for a great show.  Tune in next week for a pre-recorded solo show called Too Much Music.

Go for the throat!

 

 

Down For the Count with Tim Durling and Friends

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Episode 46:  Down For the Count with Tim Durling and Friends

The very first Y&T book is out!  Down For the Count:  The Y&T Album Review is the name of the book, and you can get yours on Amazon right now.

Joining us this week is series regular, and now author of two books, Tim Durling!  Why Y&T?  Why a book about this band, and their discography?   It is true that Y&T never made the impact that they seemed destined for.  We’ll discuss this and much more:  the nuts and bolts of publishing a rock book and assembling the cast of characters who helped along the way.

Speaking of characters, co-hosting this week will be book contributors John T. Snow and Jex Russell.  How did they get involved, and what was their part to play?  How did Tim get Sean Kelly and Hugh Syme to contribute?  Find out tonight, and by all means pick up this excellent book today.

LIVE Friday January 5 at 8:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 9:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

 

2023 in Review with Jason Drury, Rob Daniels, Mike & the Mad Metal Man

‘Twas a warm and cozy gathering of film-addicted friends, reminiscing upon favourites in the year 2023.  With Jason Drury joining from the UK, Harrison from Australia, and Mike & Rob in Canada, it was a a truly intercontinental show.

We took a look at some new musical arrivals (signed Blaze Bayley, Rock Candy Ronnie James Dio, some sweet soundtracks on CD) and some books as well.

Though we always try to promote the physical media on Grab A Stack of Rock, the thoughtful conversation was what made this episode special.  Specifically, we went down the Doctor Who rabbit hole and touched on what is happening with the show today.  We also praised Ray Stevenson in Ahsoka, and lambasted a few of the Marvel products out today.  Saved from the hot seat was Loki Season 2, which Jason and I both thought was a high water mark for the franchise.

Controversially, Jason weighed in on UK fish & chips vs. their Canadian counterparts.

Happy new year my friends, we’ll see you in 2024.  Next week:  Down For the Count, with Tim Durling and Jex Russell.

 

Return of the Drury: Film and Soundtrack Experts Jason Drury and Robert Daniels on Grab A Stack of Rock for 2023 in Review

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Episode 45:  Return of the Drury

Tonight, film and soundtrack expert Jason Drury is back on the show from five time zones away!  All the way in Ramsgate UK, Jason will be burning the midnight oil with Robert Daniels, Jex Russell and Harrison Kopp tonight.

Tonight we will just be catching up with friends, talking everything that we enjoyed in 2023.  (I will be saving my Top Five albums list for January 1.)  It’s a casual show and those are often the best kind.

Please join us tonight and welcome Jason back on the show!

LIVE Friday Dec 29 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Twitter!

First Time Listener to Prince – Purple Rain – Rock Daydream Nation

I am so proud of this episode of Rock Daydream Nation with Peter Kerr.  The story goes something like this:

(Australian accent) – Hey Mike, how would you like to do a show on Purple Rain by Prince?

(Canadian accent) – I’ve never listened to a Prince album in my life, are you sure you want me to do this?  Because I would.

(Australian accent) – Yes that’s exactly what I’m looking for.

So I went into this very curious, since I have heard the praises of Prince sung by many that I respect.  I listened to Purple Rain eight times in the week leading up to this show.  As for how it all went?  You’ll just have to watch and see.  This is how Peter describes it:

First time listener to Prince “Purple Rain” – Rock Daydream Nation featuring Mike Ladano…The premise of this show is that Mike has never listened to a Prince album. We have remedied that situation and have assigned Mike to listen and appraise the 1984 album ‘Prince and the Revolution “Purple Rain”‘. This was a fun, meaningful show that reviews the music of Prince but also looks at the historical context of Purple Rain – the album and the movie.

Peter, thank you so much for inviting me to do this show.  It’s my favourite Rock Daydream Nation yet!